Genesis 13 paints a funny picture. There are two groups: Abram's things and Lot's things. Abram was a very wealthy and prosperous man. Lot, who was travelling with Abram, too became wealthy. He prospered because he was with Abram. Verses 6 and 7 say, "But the land could not support both Abram and Lot with all their flocks and herds living so close together. So disputes broke out between the herdsmen of Abram and Lot." Abraham decided that this quarrelling was unnecessary and thus decided that they should split ways. (Here is where things get funny.) Abraham says in verse nine, "The whole countryside is open to you. Take your choice of any section of the land you want, and we will separate. If you want the land to the left, then I'll take the land on the right. If you prefer the land on the right, then I'll go to the left." Here, Abram is giving Lot the choice to do as pleases. Notice Lot's decision in verses 10 and 11: "Lot took a long look at the fertile plains of the Jordan Valley in the direction of Zoar. The whole area was well watered everywhere, like the garden of the Lord or the beautiful land of Egypt. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) Lot chose for himself the whole Jordan Valley to the east of them."
Lot did not even bother to ask for Abram's advice. Lot was acting selfishly, he saw the lush plains and decided that as long as the choice was his he would go ahead and claim it. I believe this was a test to Lot. I also believe that he failed. When God tells us to "take our pick", are we going to take what looks good to us, or are we going to ask God for His opinion on the matter? Not only did Lot selfishly take the good land, but he settled in the plains ne near Sodom and Gomorrah. Sodom and Gomorrah were notorious for their disgusting wickedness and sinful lives. Sodom and Gomorrah was probably like modern day Las Vegas. People probably went there to have a good time. They probably said "what happens in Sodom, stays in Sodom." Unfortunately, this is not true for Vegas, and it was not true for Sodom.
Genesis 13:12 says, "Lot moved his tents to a place near Sodom and settled among the cities of the plain." Lot deliberately chose to settle near Sodom. He wanted to be as close to the "fun" as he could, without actually being in it. He probably thought he was doing good. He probably thought he had it under control. He probably thought that he was separating himself, but he was not. Lot was compromising. The next verse simply says, "Now the men of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the LORD." Chapter 13 has nothing more to say on the matter of Lot and his sinful desires.
Verses 14-17 are very important. They say, "Lift up your eyes from where you are and look north and south, east and west. All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted. Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you."
God is telling Abram of His wonderful plans for his life. God is essentially promising to make him the "father of all". This is why there is so much frustration in Israel today. The Israelites know that the land is rightfully theirs, but the Palestinians know differently (but more on that later).
The last thing we know in chapter 13 is that Abram builds another altar to the Lord. Another worship session, if you will. Recall the importance of worship from chapter 12.
